Patent attributes
Provided is a last round bolt hold-open mechanism for a firearm with a removable ammunition magazine and a longitudinally reciprocating bolt that automatically releases the bolt when a loaded ammunition magazine is inserted. The mechanism includes a frame mountable to a firearm receiver and having a pair of mounting flanges. A catch member is pivotally mounted on a pivot axle oriented transverse to the longitudinal reciprocation of the bolt and carried by the mounting flanges. The catch member has a rearward portion that moves between bolt blocking and bolt release positions and is spring biased toward the bolt blocking position. A forwardly extending finger is configured to be lifted by the presence of at least one ammunition cartridge in the magazine and, when lifted, causes the catch member to pivot to the bolt release position.